An attempt to help explain the mysteries and magic that are part and parcel of 'probation'.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

Omnishambles Update 2

Well I've really been heartened by the responses this blog has attracted recently, thus confirming that there does seem to be a need for some kind of vehicle or platform where people can sound off, exchange thoughts and information and hopefully gain some comfort and support, knowing that they are not alone amidst the unfolding omnishambles. As one commentator recently put it, it may not be ideal, but barring some techy alternative solution emerging, it seems to be serving a useful purpose given the obvious unwillingness of NAPO members and others to use the official Forum site. I have to say that given the present state of panic and confusion that the whole profession finds itself in, exactly what kind of kick up the arse does the Union need before it does a bit of introspective analysis and sorts the Forum out? The fact that some union members say they find it intimidating should be cause for some serious soul-searching.So here we are with the knowledge that what is being proposed is far, far worse than first imagined. We're no longer talking about 70% of the Service being privatised, it's actually 88%. No more thoughts of Trusts being forcibly merged, they are being abolished with the rump nationalised and run directly from NOMS/MoJ HQ. All the hype about some Trusts or staff being helped by the Cabinet Office to form mutuals, so much smoke and mirrors given the ridiculously short implementation time frame that will make successful bidding all-but impossible.Despite learning that when the Probation Chief's Association recently met Chris Grayling they apparently 'dissed' him with trappist-style silence, as yet we haven't seen any sign of anyone 'falling on their sword'. Ok it might be deemed a futile gesture, but sometimes that is the sort of thing some of us might expect given the dire situation we find ourselves in. Surely at least some of the chief's can see that they simply don't have a future under Grayling's plans?A theme that continually emerges in this sorry saga is the lack of inspirational leadership. Some would actually go a bit further and say any leadership. I have to say I was utterly dismayed to see Sarah Billiald bemoaning on twitter that in some quarters the chiefs were getting the blame for the mess we find ourselves in. Without going into the legitimacy of that view, is it really a good move for a chief to broadcast that they've been 'flogging their guts out for probation!' Isn't that what we have a chief for? Isn't that what a great deal of ordinary staff do on a daily basis, and all on considerably less money and without the benefit of a Head Office support team that's available to a chief FFS!?One thing is certain and that is Main Stream Media's interest in our plight has proved remarkably short-lived, the Guardian being a notable exception. On Andrew Neil's flagship BBC1 Sunday Politics Show this lunchtime, the subject didn't warrant a mention and Sue Hall, the PCA chair, was edited down to 30 seconds on the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire opt-out. That's a disgrace, but graphically highlights the state of our national presence. Clearly it's close to zero. Before I forget, I wanted to highlight something Chris Grayling said on the BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme the other day. In response to a question that possibly the plans hadn't been fully thought out, I'm sure I heard him say that they'd 'spent 6 months designing it' - a whole 6 months FFS! I also heard him have the temerity to moan that only 25% of a probation officer's time was spent productively on face-to-face client contact. Well that's a 4 year-old statistic and it was never our fault, but his bloody department and the effect of imposing OASys on us.A bureaucratic nightmare and a completely wasteful distraction of valuable probation officer's time, privateers like G4S and Serco will try and avoid OASys at all costs and it will mostly be left to the poor bloody rump Public Probation Service to carry on filling the damned thing in. Oh and some information for any of my readers from G4S or Serco etc out there. Everything you've ever heard about OASys is true and guess what guys, the revised version OASys R is indeed even worse and proving an utter nightmare. You'll need to factor that into your bid guys! No good asking them to sign the No10 petition, but there must surely be some other readers out there who haven't signed up yet? Here it is.PS Please keep the comments coming in - 'every little helps' as they say.

20 comments:

Did CHris Grayling say 25%? Felt sure I heard him say we only spend 20% of our time with probationers. But I may be wrong - after all I was shouting at the radio so much it was hard to hear! And talking of oasys - I can't think of a single colleague who doesn't find it a cumbersome timewasting duplicator of information, and who wouldn't drop it immediately especially in its truly appalling new format.

"Do you manage risk?" "Nah, mate I just type stuff on my computer...........but it looks impressive so that makes it alright"

Many officers will not have had recent experience if any, of working in a private performance driven environment. It will come as a shock. It is likely to involve quality and quantity targets which often are in confliction. Logging in when an offender comes in/out for appt and targeted on duration of contact time (to be kept at a minimum, after all time is money). Promoting the companies other products and services you'd be amazed what can be linked in. If your not meeting your targets then you can be expected to put on a rapid prformance enhancement plan and if targets still not met you will be managed out the door. Sickness policies will be even more streamlined than they are now. Don't to forget to factor in later night working (and I mean later than 7pm) and Saturdays. Many of those stating that they do not mind who pays there wages will not be able to adapt to a competitive, target driven culture and many will burn out. I wonder if any have considered the relaities of this, again the importance of an effective communication platform and inspirational leadershipe. Wasn't it a probation chief who saved us before in the times of 'nothing works'.

Yes you are absolutely right - the bravado statement "I don't mind who pays my wages" will come to haunt many people I'm sure.

As you so rightly say, the terms and conditions out there in the commercially competitive world are vastly different - my other half who is employed by a work programme provider can attest to that - and she used to work for the DWP and says they have no idea about the real world either!

Who is the Chief you are referring to by the way? Not Ethnie Wallis? Can you remind me?

Yes the New OAsys r and national delius are a nightmare already. Slow and difficult to get information in and out. Yes it did seem like the chiefs and boards sort of lied down and took it. Unions seems to be nowhere and only seem to be getting there act together sort of now. Yes anyone who thinks that they will be fine in the slim 20% are deluding themselves. This has got major mess up all over it.

I was referring to the late Sir Graham Smith former Chief Probation Officer Inner London (1980-92) and latterly HMCIP (1992-2001). A key player in the development of 'what works'. Reported as having the political skills and confidence to strongly argue for Probation's central stage in CJS. In his last maunual report he wrote "one thing is certain - there cannot be a successfull CJS without an effective Probation Service". He is remebered also for his communications skills which were used to great effect with the media. He is reported as always being well briefed, focused and clear about his aims. Awarded CBE in 1990 and Knighted in 1999. Big boots to fill and not sure we have anyone who comes close at the moment, what are your thoughts?

Many thanks for that - just been reading his obituary from the Guardian:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/aug/14/guardianobituaries1

Very large boots to try and fill indeed - in fact that's precisely our problem isn't it? I guess we haven't had his like in terms of stature, experience and authority for some time. There have been good chiefs, but not that 'strode the stage' as it were that I can easily recall. They all toddle off and get jobs with G4S and Serco nowadays.

It will be interesting to see the deals on offer to the 30 or so Probation CEO's who are unlikely to make it into the new leadership structure of the retained public protection probation service. No doubt a few might make it into the MoJ where they can help with the privatisation. The rest...not so sure. I personally can't see many probation senior managers at all cutting it in a privatised world - whether they are leading a mutual or otherwise. It's a different mindset for managers - probably less so for front line staff.

Do we think a few of these disgruntled staff might become the voice of resistance? Again, hard to imagine given probation management has led the way in rolling with what ever the Government wants for a very long time.

Add in NAPO having lost its mojo and a nervous staff group worried about whether they have any other career options, this is going to be a fairly rapid melt down. Just what the private companies want of course - much cheaper to have people leave than have to pay redundancy - especially if you are over 55!

Yes a very likely scenario I think - so I wonder if any of the chiefs have the bottle to step forward into the national limelight? We only need one. Two or more would be great, but one has got to really shine and put a marker down for what probation is really all about.

Surely there's ONE that is principled enough to stand up and defend the integrity of a proud and honourable profession? We've got enough bloody pragmatists speaking weasel words after all.

I feel for all you in Probation. Being in the police I can say that we too have terrible, self-centred leadership who would happily lead us off a cliff as long as they get their next bonus. Our Federation are useless and the government hate us.

What makes it worse is that the reasons they give reform us is the result of the failure of nearly every government policy over the last 15 years.

The real reason is that their mates in big business fund conservative think tanks, like the Policy Exchange who plant ideas that everything is better in the private sector. They never learn that in the long run the private sector is ALWAYS less flexible, more bureaucratic. Staff are treated badly and are less motivated, service is reduced and costs escalate.

Thanks very much for your support. Probation has a good working relationship with the police nowadays and we've moved a long way from the universal mutual suspicion and misunderstanding from my early days.

You've had to suffer the ignominy of having the dreadful Tom Winsor imposed upon you as HMI and we are being equally insulted by Grayling.

Yes of course it won't cost any less in the long run and the service will be worse. It's times like this we miss Gadget!

The most explosive one of course would be from LPT, uncovering the true picture of how the fusion with private sector is actually working worts 'n' all. However, I suspect she has far too much to loose. I suspect many of them would head towards volunatry sector as easier to get into and not as cut throat as private sector.

if police/prison/probation/legal practical everyone in the justice system is under attack from shite goverment ideas surely they should band together. its only a matter of time before these markets idea spread through the entire system.

There is a degree of cooperation between the POA and NAPO, but the police are in a special position being unable to strike or take any industrial action. The legal profession again is a bit special, but I did read recently of barristers on at least one circuit not turning up at court in a co-ordinated way which amounts to a strike, but is quite dangerous I would have thought. In truth, we're all in a difficult position and the government knows it.

Love it. Although it's (presumably - who knows in times like these?)a spoof it reminds me of my parents telling me that during the war their local POW camp had a "Have A German Soldier For Dinner" scheme. Help around the house, do a bit of cleaning, do a bit of laundry, refrain from invading other European countries.

It's My Blog

Welcome to the wonderful world of probation! These are the personal thoughts of an ordinary probation officer struggling to come to terms with constant change, whilst trying to do a useful job for society. Sadly, change is so often obviously not progress. I am fully aware that my views do not represent official policy of government, my Service or possibly anyone else - but hey - it's my blog!

ATV 1962 Windsor Davies

About Me

A grumpy, disillusioned, CQSW trained, generic, main grade probation officer based in a small English town. All my contemporaries have either left, retired or been promoted. Newer colleagues simply don't understand the journey I've been on from advise, assist and befriend. (If there is anyone of similar name in the NAPO handbook, it's not me).